Summer perfumes no longer smell only of orange blossom or monoi. This season, another note is added to the bottles. More refined than classic citrus fruits, it gives character, but just enough.
Every summer, the shelves of perfumeries are filled with various creations. Solar flowers, monoi or magnolia accords remain essential, but they are no longer enough. Perfume houses are now looking for a more modern, more elegant note and, above all, easier to wear when it’s 35°C. As a result, several new products share the same ingredient, often well hidden in the olfactory pyramid. It ticks all the boxes for summer perfume: it refreshes, wakes up the composition and avoids the overly sweet effect which can quickly become nauseating in the middle of August.
Indeed, creating a summer perfume is much more complicated than it seems. Adding lemon or orange is not enough to give a real feeling of freshness. On the contrary, some citrus fruits quickly lose their shine or become almost too greedy in the heat. Perfumers therefore look for ingredients capable of providing energy without overwhelming the rest of the composition. They also want to create scents that remain pleasant from morning until evening, even after several hours spent outside.
Plus, now many want to smell fresh, clean and elegant, rather than wearing a very sweet fragrance that fills an entire room. Gourmet creations still have their fans, but they are gradually giving way to more airy compositions. And if there is one note that we find among the most appreciated references, it is yuzu. This Japanese citrus fruit is reminiscent of lemon, but is more complex. It brings a slight bitterness, a lot of liveliness and a juicy side which immediately gives a boost of freshness.
Among the perfumes containing yuzu, we note Acqua di Parma Yuzu, with an opening supported by bergamot and jasmine. The French Yuzu 003 from Bon Perfumer is more contemporary. At Jo Malone London, Yuzu Zest Cologne mixes this note with sparkling citrus fruits for a very luminous result. It is also found in invigorating Yuzu from adopt’ as well as in Yuzu Fou from Parfum d’Empire, which combines this citrus fruit with aromatic and vegetal notes for a more original trail. In short, all you have to do is try it!
